Dipika, Joshana create history with squash gold medal

Updated: Saturday, August 2, 2014, 21:46 [IST]

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Glasgow, Aug 2: Dipika Pallikal and Joshana Chinappa created history by winning the first-ever gold medal in squash while pugilists Sarita Devi and Devendro Singh had to be content with silver as India added four more medals to their kitty on the tenth day of competitions in the 20th Games here today.

Dipika and Joshana stole the limelight with their historic feat as they beat Jenny Duncalf and Laura Massaro of England 11-6, 11-8 in the womens doubles squash final. It was the first squash medal for India in the Commonwealth Games.

Sarita Devi and Devendro Singh were the other star performers during the day with their silver-winning achievements in the boxing ring while Sakina Khatun claimed an unexpected bronze in powerlifting as India made a last-ditch effort to boost their medals tally.

Sarita lost to Shelley Watts of Australia after a gritty fight in women's lightweight (57-60kg) category final while her younger brother Devendro was beaten by Paddy Barnes of Northern Ireland in the men's light-flyweight (46-49kg) final at the Hydro Arena.

Dipika and Joshana beat Jenny Duncalf and Laura Massaro of England

Devendro was no match for Barnes and the unanimous 3-0 verdict in favour of the Irish reflected that. With the two silver today, India has bagged three medals from boxing with Pinki Jangra having won a bronze after losing her semifinal bout against Michaela Walsh of Northern Ireland in women's 51kg category yesterday.

The collection of four more medals took India's overall tally to 55 with 14 gold, 25 silver and 16 bronze. India maintained their fifth position in the medal standings with England topping the charts with a total collection of 145 medals followed by Australia (125), Canada (75) and Scotland (49). Sakina Khatun did India proud by winning a bronze medal in the women's lightweight (upto 61 kg) powerlifting event.

The Bangalore-born powerlifter finished behind Nigeria's Esther Oyema (Gold) and England's Natalie Blake (Silver) settle at third position. The Indian lifted a total weight of 88.2 kilograms, while Esther lifted 136kgs and Natalie managed 100.2kgs.

India kept themselves on course for a historic gold medal in the badminton event with P Kashyap just a win away while 2010 champions Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa, too, were on course to defend their title. Young P V Sindhu, however, suffered a heartbreaking loss.